CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) – The Cortland County Sheriff’s Office is recognizing the work of its members.

On January 30, the Sheriff’s Office held its annual Road Patrol Division Awards.

Sheriff Mark Helms and Undersheriff Chad Burhans handed out 17 awards in total, including the 2025 Deputy of the Year, which goes to Sergeant Stacy Billings, and the Honorable Service Award to CPO Mercedes Slade.

Full List of Awards

2025 Deputy of the Year

  • Sergeant Stacy Billings

2025 Lifesaving Award 

  • Sergeant Dean Strickland
  • CPO Keith Wilson

2025 Award Certificates – Recipients exemplify the values, morals, and mission of the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office

  • Lieutenant Kimberly Natoli
  • Sergeant Stacy Billings
  • Sergeant Peter Wright
  • Sergeant Brendan L’Hommedieu
  • Sergeant Chris Twigg
  • Sergeant Jeffrey Messina
  • Sergeant Kurtis Ayres
  • County Police Officer Neena Testa
  • County Police Officer Joshua Markley
  • County Police Officer Daniel Levitskiy
  • County Police Officer Dalton Strickland and K9 Dex

2025 Honorable Service Award

  • CPO Mercedes Slade

Zero Hours Sick Time Use in 2025

  • Sergeant Kurtis Ayres
  • County Police Officer Ryan Aylesworth